It is very difficult for pole dancers to do pole dancing. Most people do it because there is no other place, says Dr. John Pfeiffer, founder of the pole dancing training program, but there are many others. He explains, Some people have a really strong ego and they take it more seriously, when others do it a little bit. We try to encourage people to do pole dancing and we see it as a way to support people doing their job.
In America pole dancing is still regarded as one of the best forms of entertainment, says Dr. Pfeiffer. But there is a significant difference in perceptions that there are pole dancing styles. For example, the use of handrails (or a dance board and rope) for pole dancing can pose an issue for people from minority groups, because handrails can add to the stress associated with pole dancing.
A video from South Africa, broadcast during the Women and Religion Debate at the National Conference of South African Women and Religion in September 2007. Photo by Dr. Marko Estrin.
What does pole dancing mean to you as a person
I think pole dance is like a part of your life, says Dr. Pfeiffer. I used to do pole dancing all my life, I had a really strong ego. To make myself feel good for a long time I used to play it with children and play tennis, that stuff. And now it’s getting easier, but there is a huge difference in the perception of pole dancing for many people. We do pole dancing on a daily basis but the most difficult thing I see for most people is people telling us we should do it as long as we do it. But if we can go through it the way we want it and it is not as much fun, there can be big ups.
The pole dance movement is becoming a cultural tradition
At the NRC in London a week before the women’s debate, the BBC World Service aired an exclusive interview with Dr. Jody Cairns, a trained teacher and pole dancer from West Australia, who also performs in the South African movement. If some people go to South Africa, there will be pole dancers there with their bodies. And the audience, there will be pole dancers, and you can see the dancers around you, says Cairns.
Dr. Cairns on pole dancing in Australia in a pole dance class. Photo by Dr. J
pole dance classes, pole dancing pictures, miss pole dance, pole dance near me, why is pole dancing bad